Variable Precision Rough Set Model for Incomplete Information Systems and Its Beta-Reducts

As the original rough set model is quite sensitive to noisy data, Ziarko proposed the variable precision rough set (VPRS) model to deal with noisy data and uncertain information. This model allowed for some degree of uncertainty and misclassification in the mining process. In this paper, the variable precision rough set model for an incomplete information system is proposed by combining the VPRS model and incomplete information system, and the beta-lower and beta-upper approximations are defined. Considering that classical VPRS model lacks a feasible method to determine the precision parameter beta when calculating the beta-reducts, we present an approach to determine the parameter beta. Then, by calculating discernibility matrix and discernibility functions based on beta-lower approximation, the beta-reducts and the generalized decision rules are obtained. Finally, a concrete example is given to explain the validity and practicability of beta-reducts which is proposed in this paper

PIANO: Proximity-based User Authentication on Voice-Powered Internet-of-Things Devices

Voice is envisioned to be a popular way for humans to interact with Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. We propose a proximity-based user authentication method (called PIANO) for access control on such voice-powered IoT devices. PIANO leverages the built-in speaker, microphone, and Bluetooth that voice-powered IoT devices often already have. Specifically, we assume that a user carries a personal voice-powered device (e.g., smartphone, smartwatch, or smartglass), which serves as the user's identity. When another voice-powered IoT device of the user requires authentication, PIANO estimates the distance between the two devices by playing and detecting certain acoustic signals; PIANO grants access if the estimated distance is no larger than a user-selected threshold. We implemented a proof-of-concept prototype of PIANO. Through theoretical and empirical evaluations, we find that PIANO is secure, reliable, personalizable, and efficient.Comment: To appear in ICDCS'1

Integrity Evaluation of Customs Cooperation Based on Gray and Fuzzy Decision Theory

Abstract. The integrity evaluation of cooperation does well to standardizing enterprise behavior, and constructing of an orderly competitive operating background. Evaluation term and method are most important in evaluation. In this paper, an evaluation system was designed, which included 3-level evaluation terms and a fusing optimized algorithm. During the course, multi-hierarchy analysis was used to design index structure firstly, and then the integrated Gray theory and Genetic algorithm were introduced to optimize index's weight. The innovation was reflected in article included an evaluation system with customs characteristics, and cooperation's integrity graded model based on quantitative evaluation

Association of glycemic variability and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Glucose variability is one of components of the dysglycemia in diabetes and may play an important role in development of diabetic vascular complications. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between glycemic variability determined by a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 344 T2DM patients with chest pain, coronary angiography revealed CAD (coronary stenosis ≥ 50% luminal diameter narrowing) in 252 patients and 92 patients without CAD. Gensini score was used to assess the severity of CAD. All participants' CGM parameters and biochemical characteristics were measured at baseline.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Diabetic patients with CAD were older, and more were male and cigarette smokers compared with the controls. Levels of the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) (3.7 ± 1.4 mmol/L vs. 3.2 ± 1.2 mmol/L, p < 0.001), postprandial glucose excursion (PPGE) (3.9 ± 1.6 mmol/L vs. 3.6 ± 1.4 mmol/L, p = 0.036), serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (10.7 ± 12.4 mg/L vs. 5.8 ± 6.7 mg/L, p < 0.001) and creatinine (Cr) (87 ± 23 mmol/L vs. 77 ± 14 mmol/L, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with CAD than in patients without CAD. Gensini score closely correlated with age, MAGE, PPGE, hemoglobin A_1c(HbA_1c), hs-CRP and total cholesterol (TC). Multivariate analysis indicated that age (p < 0.001), MAGE (p < 0.001), serum levels of HbA_1c(p = 0.022) and hs-CRP (p = 0.005) were independent determinants for Gensini score. Logistic regression analysis revealed that MAGE ≥ 3.4 mmol/L was an independent predictor for CAD. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for MAGE (0.618, p = 0.001) was superior to that for HbA_1c(0.554, p = 0.129).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The intraday glycemic variability is associated with the presence and severity of CAD in patients with T2DM. Effects of glycemic excursions on vascular complications should not be neglected in diabetes.</p

ANKRD22 enhances breast cancer cell malignancy by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via modulating NuSAP1 expression

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in women worldwide. Although great advancements have been achieved in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, the prognosis of patients with breast cancer is still poor due to distal recurrence and metastasis after surgery. This study aimed to assess the role of ankyrin repeat domain 22 (ANKRD22) in the progression of breast cancer and investigate the molecular mechanism. Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated that the expression level of ANKRD22 in human breast cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in normal breast tissues. ANKRD22 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer cells, as confirmed by BrdU, colony formation, transwell, and immunoblot assays. Immunoblot assays further indicated that ANKRD22 regulated the expression of nucleolar and spindle-associated protein 1 (NuSAP1) and then caused the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, overexpression of NUSAP1 reversed the inhibitory effects of ANKRD22 knockdown on the proliferation, invasion, and EMT of breast cancer cells. In summary, this study demonstrated that ANKRD22 enhanced breast cancer cell malignancy by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via modulating NuSAP1 expression, which might shed light on new therapeutic approaches for breast cancer

Characterization and cytotoxicity of PAHs in PM2.5 emitted from residential solid fuel burning in the Guanzhong Plain, China

The emission factors (EFs) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 were measured from commonly used stoves and fuels in the rural Guanzhong Plain, China. The toxicity of the PM2.5 also was measured using in vitro cellular tests. EFs of PAHs varied from 0.18 mg kg(-1) (maize straw charcoal burning in a clean stove) to 83.3 mg kg(-1) (maize straw burning in Heated Kang). The two largest influencing factors on PAH EFs were air supply and volatile matter proportion in fuel. Improvements in these two factors could decrease not only EFs of PAHs but also the proportion of 3-ring to 5-ring PAHs. Exposure to PM2.5 extracts caused a concentration-dependent decline in cell viability but an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). PM2.5 emitted from maize burning in Heated Kang showed the highest cytotoxicity, and EFs of ROS and inflammatory factors were the highest as well. In comparison, maize straw charcoal burning in a clean stove showed the lowest cytotoxicity, which indicated a clean stove and fuel treatment were both efficient methods for reducing cytotoxicity of primary PM2.5. The production of these bioreactive factors were highly correlated with 3-ring and 4-ring PAHs. Specifically, pyrene, anthracene and benzo(a)anthracene had the highest correlations with ROS production (R = 0.85, 0.81 and 0.80, respectively). This study shows that all tested stoves emitted PM2.5 that was cytotoxic to human cells; thus, there may be no safe levels of exposure to PM2,5 emissions from cooking and heating stoves using solid fuels. The study may also provide a new approach for evaluating the cytotoxicity of primary emitted PM2.5 from solid fuel burning as well as other PM2.5 sources. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Analysis of monitoring results of food microbial pathogenic factors in Zhoushan City from 2017 to 2019

Objective To understand the contamination status of microorganisms and pathogenic factors in 19 kinds of food in Zhoushan City, so as to provide basic data for food safety risk monitoring and early warning. Methods A total of 1 246 food samples were collected from 2017 to 2019 according to the requirements of the national risk monitor manual of food contamination and harmful factors from 2017 to 2019. The samples were tested for food microbial pathogenic factors. Results A total of 243 pathogenic factors were detected and the total detection rate was 19.50% (243/1 246). The detection rate of Salmonella in raw meat was 41.67% (30/72), the detection rate of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in bivalve shellfish was 31.58% (48/152), the detection rate of Anisakid in fresh marine fish was 27.00% (27/100), and the detection rate of Staphylococcus aureus in cold-made pastry was 16.25% (13/80). The detection rate of microorganism and its pathogenic factors in bulk food was higher than that in pre-packaged food. The difference was statistically significant (χ2=92.333, P<0.05). In different sampling locations, the highest detection rate of pathogenic factors was found in farmers’ markets (32.54%, 150/461), followed by online stores (25.44%, 29/114) and small restaurants (23.88%, 16/67). Conclusion From 2017 to 2019, 19 types of food on sale in Zhoushan City were contaminated by microorganisms and pathogenic factors at varying degrees. The contamination of microorganisms and pathogenic factors in take-out meals, raw animal meat and bivalve shellfish products was relatively serious. It is suggested to strengthen hygiene supervision on these types of food to prevent the occurrence of foodborne diseases

Re-recognize early recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation

AimsFew studies on early recurrence (ER) focused on patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to investigate the characteristics and clinical significance of ER in patients with persistent AF after catheter ablation (CA).MethodsA total of 348 consecutive patients who underwent first-time CA for persistent and long-standing persistent AF between January 2019 and May 2022 were investigated.ResultsAbout 5/348 (1.44%) patients who failed to convert to sinus rhythm after CA were excluded. A total of 110/343 (32.1%) patients had ER, in which 98 (89.1%) were persistent and 50.9% occurred in the first 24 h after CA. Compared with the patients without ER, those with ER were more likely to have late recurrence (LR) (92.7% vs. 1.7%, P &lt; 0.001) during a median follow-up of 13 (IQR 6–23) months. ER was the most significant independent predictor for LR (OR 120.5, 95% CI 41.5–349.8, P &lt; 0.001). ER as atrial flutter (AFL) had a lower risk of LR when compared with ER as AF (P = 0.011) and both AF and AFL (P = 0.003). Early intervention of the patient with ER improved the short-term outcomes (P &lt; 0.001), not long-term outcomes. Only 22/251 (8.76%) patients of LR appears among those who had no recurrence in the first month.ConclusionsPatients with persistent AF may not have a blanking period but rather have a risk period. Clinical significance of the blanking period should be given differential treatment between paroxysmal AF and persistent AF